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Fatwa CenterPreparing letters to banks and insurance companies as part of job duties
Question
Assalaamu alaykom. First, I would like to thank you for your efforts, and I apologize if my question is long, but it is so important to me as I am currently so sad and worried, and I do not know what to do. I work as a human resources officer in a private company, and I want to ask about some of the official letters that I have to issue. Among my duties is that I have to write letters of commitment to banks that deal in interest when an employee wants to take a loan from the bank, committing that we will continue to transfer the employee's salary to the bank as long as he works in our company, and I have to also issue salary slips for the employee when they ask for them, and they only ask for them when they want to take a loan. I also have to issue books of registration for employees that are directed to commercial insurance companies which are considered impermissible because they deal in gambling and impermissible things, and, by the way, I refuse to register in the company's medical insurance because it is haram, but I have to send registration books for employees to the insurance company. Now, the thing is that I am totally convinced that dealing with banks and insurance companies in this way is considered impermissible and haram, and the only reason why I am not resigning from my work is because my mom is a 70-year-old woman who still works as a teacher, and I once told her that I want to quit my job because I do not want to take part in interest-related or any other haram transactions, but she got angry and was not convinced that what I am doing is considered impermissible and haram, so I am afraid that she might become very angry and that something bad would happen to her because of me, because I know that she would get so mad. So, are those official letters considered haram, and is it okay if I stayed in my job just because I do not want my mom to get hurt or be harmed in any way because of me? Please, advise me on what to do. May Allah reward you.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
Preparing letters of commitment to usurious banks and issuing books of registration for employees that are directed to commercial insurance companies and similar actions that are part of the process of conducting unlawful contracts is impermissible because of what it involves of cooperation in committing what is prohibited. Allah, the Exalted, says (what means): {And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression.} [Quran 5:2]
If your job requires issuing such letters and books, then do not stay in it unless you can avoid it, and only perform lawful work.
As for the fact that your mother does not approve quitting your job and you fear making her angry, then you should know that there is no obedience to her in what constitutes disobedience to Allah. However, try to convince her wisely and kindly, and let her know that Allah, the Almighty, said (what means): {And whoever fears Allah – He will Make for him a way out and will provide for him from where he does not expect.} [Quran 65:2-3] Moreover, the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said, “The Holy Spirit inspired into my heart that no soul shall die without receiving its provision in full. So fear Allah and be moderate in your requests (for provisions). Let not the feeling of finding the coming of the provision slow drive you to seek provision through disobeying Allah. The provision of Allah cannot be obtained except by obeying Him.” [Ibn Mardawayh - Al-Albaani graded it Hasan (good)]
Allah knows best.
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